No structures were damaged in the blaze, but more than 100 people were forced to leave their homes for four days. The evacuation orders were lifted at 9 p.m. Saturday.

As of Sunday evening, 100 percent containment was reported on the blaze, which at its peak was battled by 300 firefighters, along with air support.

The fire’s cause

Officials said there were about 3,000 lightning strikes in the Pike National Forest on the afternoon and evening of June 18.

A small fire started June 18, and firefighters from North Fork Fire and the U.S. Forest Service responded. A second fire had started and wasn’t noticed until June 19. Jeffco Sheriff Ted Mink said the first fire was remotely monitored overnight.

On the afternoon of June 19, North Fork Fire and the Forest Service responded again, but this time the wildfire grew, and mutual aid was requested about 1:45 p.m.

Although the Lime Gulch Fire started in a sparsely populated area, more than 100 people were forced to leave their homes.

A level 3 evacuation was ordered June 19 within a 3-mile radius of Foxton and Platte River roads and in the Buffalo Creek township. Homes on Kuehster Road, the area most affected by last year’s Lower North Fork Fire, were placed under a level 1 evacuation warning. The Spring Creek Subdivision was also placed under a pre-evacuation order.

A Red Cross shelter was set up at Evergreen High School for evacuees.

‘Running on adrenaline’

Eric and Christina Jensen received an evacuation notice Wednesday afternoon.

“You’re ready to just be done and be back home in your own bed,” said Eric Jensen, whose home is about 2 miles north of the fire.